What is mission today? What should be the approach of North American mission today?
Senior Executive of Advancement Wil LaVeist posed these questions to the audience during his “Afrocentric Anabaptists: Black Experiences in the Mennonite Church” seminar at Follow Jesus 25. LaVeist is producing a Mission Network documentary series in connection with the Mennonite World Conference’s 500th anniversary celebration of Anabaptism: Anabaptism at 500.
Set for release in 2026, the documentary series explores the impact of mission outreach on the growth of Anabaptism among Africans, African Americans, and Afro-Latinos. Wil LaVeist has interviewed and filmed over 30 diverse Anabaptist leaders, representing African, African American, and Afro-Latino communities across various ages, genders, denominations, and organizations. The series centers on people of African descent sharing their stories in their own voices.
The concept of mission is deeply personal, shaped by individual and cultural experiences. Historically, North American mission efforts, often led by Eurocentric missionaries, have faced criticism for their ties to colonialism, which inflicted cultural and social harm on communities of color. LaVeist acknowledges this complex legacy, noting that while missionaries often had altruistic intentions, their actions sometimes prioritized their own interests or misaligned with the actual needs of the communities they served. This disconnect raises critical questions about how mission should be reimagined today to align with Jesus’ teachings of love, humility, and justice.
Mission outreach historically sparked growth of the Anabaptist movement, but most congregations and ministries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond have been established by local believers within their own cultural contexts.
Anabaptists — Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites, and Brethren in Christ — have long viewed mission as a way to emulate Jesus’ example of service and peacemaking. However, as the global Anabaptist landscape shifts, so must the approach to mission. Today, Anabaptists are a diverse, global community of approximately 2.13 million baptized members (as of 2015, per Mennonite World Conference data), spread across six continents:
- 37% in Africa
- 30% in North America
- 21% in Asia and the Pacific
- 9% in Latin America and the Caribbean
- 3% in Europe – the birthplace of Anabaptism
The significant growth of Anabaptism among people of color, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, signals a pivotal moment for North American mission. LaVeist’s research highlights that many Africans and people of African descent were drawn to Anabaptist theology — its emphasis on adult baptism, pacifism, and community engagement — rather than Mennonite culture. These communities prioritize active engagement, with congregations focused on church planting and addressing local needs through service. However, a sobering commonality emerges: all interviewees reported experiencing racism, underscoring the need for Anabaptist approaches that confront systemic inequities and prioritize cultural sensitivity.
The full interviews of participants will be archived at the MC USA Archives as part an initiative to amplify diverse voices sharing their stories authentically.
